Turning the Ball with my Thumb

Question
Hi, I am a 12 year old boy, averaging 196, and have been bowling for 2 1/2 years. I have calluses on both sides of my thumb. My Coach has told me I turn the ball with my thumb more than my fingers. I release the ball 45 degrees. How do I stop turning the ball with my thumb?


                            Thank You,
                              Sean

Answer
Sean,
Callousing on the sides of your thumb is an indicator of bending (or squeezing with) the thumb (to much reverse pitch, too tight or too loose a thumb hole among other things). Gripping often leads to staying in the ball too long, which will take a lot off the ball, so you might be overturning at your release. A fit you've outgrown, can lead to some bad habits that could be with you forever. I'm more concerned with the callousing, and fit, than an execution issue for now.

I've never heard of the concept of turning the ball with your thumb (but if the thumb ends up pointing down at your release, that may be what he's pointing out). Your coach has a concern for how you are releasing the ball. But unless your ball is conventionally drilled, your ball exits your thumb as you rotate your fingers around the ball (to create hook and revolutions).

From what little you've mentioned, I can only surmise, the fact that you are young and still growing, your ball fit may not be keeping up with both your growth and involvement in the sport. You might express the concern with your ball driller and ask if they wouldn't mind if you come in for a fit check periodically (means potential business for them, can't see why it would be a problem.)

I'm curious, if you can ask your coach to explain to you what he means, what he sees, what he'd like you to be doing, when he says "turning the ball with your thumb"? Thanks for the question.